What to do if your dog is stung by a scorpion

It is unlikely that your dog will be stung by a scorpion. But it could definitely ruin his day! Knowing how to take good care of your pup will help both of you if he has an unfortunate encounter.

Think you only have to worry about scorpions in the desert southwest? They can actually be found in 29 states! Your dog could therefore be stung by a scorpion when you least expect it.

And now that we live in southern Arizona, sightings of scorpions are quite common. So far, we’ve always seen them before Myles! But if that situation changes, it might need to be treated for a scorpion sting.

Disclosure: I am not a veterinary professional, just a concerned pet parent. These tips should be practiced with extreme caution. If your dog is stung by a scorpion, you should immediately call your veterinarian.

Is a scorpion sting dangerous for a dog?

I didn’t have the first clue about the scorpions. As far as I know, they were deadly. And their venom could quickly end me or my beloved pooch.

In truth, although all scorpions are poisonous, only about 50 of the almost 1,500 known types of scorpions in the world are dangerous to humans. And of these, only one – the bark scorpion – lives in the United States.

READ MORE ⇒ Seven essentials for hiking in the desert with dogs

The barked scorpion is common in Arizona, western New Mexico, southern Utah and Nevada, and even parts of southern California. And we’ve seen several since we moved to Bisbee.

While seeing scorpions is disconcerting and getting stung can be serious, it’s also good to keep in mind that a human death of the Arizona bark scorpion has been reported since 1964.

While a scorpion sting isn’t likely to cause serious harm to your dog, it’s important to know how to help your pup if he gets tangled up in one.

How Dogs Can Avoid Scorpions

The best way to protect your dog from a scorpion sting is to avoid the scorpions! But dogs are a curious bunch, always sticking their noses in places where scorpions might hide.

Keep in mind that the bigger the scorpion, the less venom it carries. Therefore, you will need to be especially wary of small scorpions, such as the Arizona bark scorpion.

Here are some tips to prevent your pooch from bumping into a scorpion:

1. Keep your dog on a leash

Leashing your dog while walking or hiking is a good way to avoid all sorts of potentially nasty creatures, including scorpions.

2. Recall work

If you plan to hike with your dog off-leash, perfect his training. The quicker your dog obeys your commands, the safer he will be. Commands like “leave it” and “come” come in handy for all types of adventures.

3. Be particularly vigilant at night

Scorpions are nocturnal and remain hidden until sunset. So prevent your dog from sniffing brush, piles of leaves and other good scorpion hiding places, especially after dark.

4. Don’t let your dog dig

In addition to living under rocks and in crevices, many species of scorpions live in underground burrows. If your dog likes to dig, the smell of scorpion might attract him, and digging a scorpion burrow is a good way to get stung.

5. Get UV light

If you’re really worried, invest in a UV lamp. They make scorpions glow bright green, so they’re easy to spot on your patio or inside the house.

What to do if your dog is stung by a scorpion

Despite your best efforts, your dog may still be stung by a scorpion. If you suspect this has happened, finding a vet is a priority.

The severity of a scorpion sting depends on your dog’s size, the type of scorpion, the amount of venom released, and your dog’s overall health.

LEARN MORE ⇒ What you need to know about emergency vets (before you need them)

A word of warning: Scorpion stings are very, very painful, so you should do whatever you can to ease your dog’s pain. These steps may require two people, as your dog may have trouble running away. Stick with it – your dog will thank you later.

Until you can get to a vet, there are some immediate steps you can take to help your dog:

• If you can locate the stinger and without issue remove it, do it using tweezers. Put the stinger in a container – it could be used to identify the type of scorpion that stung your pet.
• Wash the affected area with cold water, then apply a cool compress (not ice) for ten minutes. When this time is up, let the sting breathe for ten minutes, then reapply the compress for another ten minutes.
• If your dog is stung and you can safely catch the scorpion (or if it’s dead), take it to the vet for identification. Knowing the type of scorpion will help assess the seriousness of the situation.

Road to recovery

Depending on the severity of the bite, your veterinarian will likely prescribe pain medication for your pet. Typically, the drug will make your pup tired and foggy.

You should continue to monitor your dog for several days to make sure there is no delayed reaction to the venom. If you see any of these symptoms, it’s time for another trip to the vet!

• Drool
• Lameness or loss of coordination
• Watery eyes, bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils
• unusual urination and defecation
• muscle tremors
• Difficulty breathing
• Abnormal heartbeat (Learn to take your dog’s pulse)
• Urticaria
• Swelling of the face and throat
• Lethargy

After a few days, your buddy should be back to normal.

If you live or travel to an area where scorpions are common, ask your vet to give your dog antihistamines in case of a scorpion sting. In the right dosage, antihistamines are safe for dogs and can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with a scorpion sting.

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